God Gives the Increase

Andy - Laura - YuHua @ the fish ladder in Old Town Lansing

We met Yuhua two years ago, through another Chinese student who invited her to come with us to Lake Michigan for the day. (Actually, this is the connections between us and her: Yuhua – Coworker – Roommate – Friend – Us. Networking, folks…) We had a great connection and soon she started to attend Bible study with us. At the time we were going through the gospels, and had many wonderful opportunities to highlight the difference between the Old and New Covenants – Law vs. Grace.

The more we got to know each other, the more Yuhua opened up about her life. Although she was always cheerful on the outside, she carried around a deep hurt – something that had happened shortly before we met her.

As time went on, she was still very interested in learning about the Lord, but we recognized that she needed someone who could take a role of more authority in her life – especially in Chinese culture, we were not as qualified to “teach” her as we are younger and less educated than she is. Fortunately, earlier Yuhua had spent some time with my family and maintained a relationship with my mom. So, when my mom asked if she would like to meet for continued discipleship, Yuhua eagerly accepted.

Zhao Yang - YuHua @ Weicong's birthday party

"I woke up one day recently and I realized that the pain was gone."

At a recent meeting, Yuhua said that she realized that the deep hurt inside of her was now healed. She had received lots of good advice and positive encouragement before – but it was not these things that brought the change in her heart. She recognized and acknowledged that is was God who had brought healing to her from the inside out.

Having experienced the loving touch of the Father on top of a firm foundation in the truth of Jesus' work of grace, Yuhua was eager to commit her life to Christ and become a Christian! She is telling everyone around her, including her parents. She is waiting for them to come visit next month so they can witness her baptism.

It's hard to explain the feeling of joy at her spiritual rebirth, I felt like I was in shock, a shock of overwhelming joy! It just brings to light the truth that WE don't accomplish the work – we are simply partners to what God is already doing in people's lives. Sometimes we get to join in harvest, other times we faithfully water and plant – but it is GOD who brings the increase. Either way, we feel incredibly privileged to be a part of God's active plan of redemption at work!